Accomplices of “sadistic” female serial killer are convicted

Two men have been convicted of helping a “sadistic” female serial killer cover her tracks including keeping a man’s body in a wheelie bin for two weeks before dumping it on farmland on the outskirts of Whittlesey.

Gary Stretch, formerly known as Gary Richards, and Leslie Layton were today (Wednesday) convicted of assisting Joanne Dennehy in disposing of three bodies and helping her to evade police.

Dennehy, 31, stabbed three men to death and attacked another two men while on the run from police last year.

She pleaded guilty to all three murders and two attempted murders at an earlier hearing at the Old Bailey.

Stretch was convicted of three counts of preventing lawful and decent burial and two attempted murders following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

Layton has been convicted of two counts of preventing lawful and decent burial and perverting the course of justice.

Dennehy, of Bifield, Peterborough, murdered Lukasz Slaboszewski on March 19 at Rolleston Garth, Peterborough. After stabbing the 31-year-old to death, his body was put in a green wheelie bin where it was kept before it was discovered dumped on farmland at Thorney Dyke on April 3.

Stretch, 47, of Riseholme, Peterborough, was convicted of helping her move his body.

The body of John Chapman, 57, was also found at the same time nearby. He had been stabbed to death on March 29 at Bifield, Peterborough.

Stretch and Layton, 37, of Bifield, had helped Dennehy remove Mr Chapman’s body from the house and dump it at Thorney Dyke.

Dennehy’s third victim, and the first body to be found, was Kevin Lee, 49, from Fletton, who ran a lettings agency in Peterborough and was the landlord for the Bifield and Rolleston Garth properties.

He was reported missing by his family on March 29. He was last seen buying CDs from HMV in Peterborough before going to meet Dennehy.

His body was found on farmland at Newborough by a dog walker, on March 30, and his Ford Mondeo was later found burned out.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Brunning, who led the investigation, said: “This has been one of the largest and most complex investigations in my 20 years’ experience.

“Three men were brutally murdered in Peterborough and two men were stabbed in West Mercia – today their killer and her willing accomplices have now been brought to justice.

“Joanne Dennehy is a sadistic ‘serial killer’ with a fearsome personality. She manipulated these men into doing things she wanted. I am relieved she is facing a substantial period of time behind bars.

“Her accomplices not only fuelled her violence but also assisted her in these cruel crimes, by helping her dump their bodies.

“Stretch drove her around and helped her pick her next victims - without a thought of the impact on them or their loved ones.

“Moore sheltered Dennehy and Stretch while they were on the run and lied to police about their whereabouts while Layton was prepared to help Stretch and Dennehy with their criminal activities, helped dump the bodies and did everything in his power to assist them to avoid being caught.

“The actions of Dennehy and those who helped her have had a devastating impact on the families of those killed and the surviving victims.

“Two of the victims will live with what Dennehy has done for the rest of their lives. I hope today’s convictions will provide them, and their families, with some closure.”

When a murder investigation was launched Dennehy and Stretch were quickly identified as having been involved and a wanted appeal was issued for the pair.

On March 30, Dennehy and Stretch spent the night with Robert Moore at Belvoir Way, Peterborough. Moore later lied to police about their whereabouts and told the pair about developments into the murder investigation.

Dennehy and Stretch left the Peterborough area on March 31. Layton was arrested on April 1.

By April 2, while on the run from police, Dennehy and Stretch committed two burglaries in Herefordshire. They then drove around Hereford looking for people to kill, selecting victims at random.

At about 3.40pm, Dennehy got out of the car being driven by Stretch and stabbed Robin Bereza, 63, who had been walking his dog, on Westfaling Street.

Less than 15 minutes later, having left Mr Bereza for dead, Stretch selected John Rogers, 56, who was walking his dog along a footpath between Golden Post and the Belmont estate. Dennehy stabbed him repeatedly before stealing his dog, Archie.

Stretch and Dennehy were arrested soon after and the green Vauxhall Astra was seized by police. The dog was recovered alive and well.

The bodies of Mr Chapman and Slaboszewski were found the following day.

Robert Moore pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on December 19 to two counts of assisting an offender.

All four will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Dave Williams, West Mercia Police Major Investigation Unit, said: “In addition to the trauma the victims have suffered, these horrific attacks have had a devastating effect on the Herefordshire community.

“Random stranger attacks are rare and as a result of a robust policing response to these attacks by local officers the offenders were quickly apprehended and prevented from harming anybody else.

“The actions of the public in coming to the aid of Mr Rogers, who had been left for dead, and gave him first aid undoubtedly contributed to his survival and are commendable.”

Joanne Dennehy accomplices found guilty

Gary Stretch.

Leslie Layton

Stretch is seen glaring at the camera while pulling
his jumper up and standing in another sexual pose.

Dennehy revealing her underwear and standing in a
provocative sexual position in the days after committing her crimes. It shows a series of horrendous scars caused by the mother's relentless
self-harming.

Stretch is seen sticking his tongue out at the camera .

Dennehy jovially sticking her tongue out as
she brandishes a jagged knife with handcuffs attached to her trousers.

Joanna Dennehy

A final image shows the pair casually leaning on a fence just minutes before Dennehy tried to stab another two men to death.

One crew and rescue vehicle from Dogsthorpe, along with two Lincolnshire crews from Stamford and Market Deeping, were called to a road traffic collision on the A1 southbound between Carpenters Lodge and Wansford.